People urged to support stricter air quality requirements

There is alarming health news tonight that comes from the World Health Organization about the very air we breathe.

on.aol.com

On Jan. 8, 2014, the Air Quality Board will be voting on the second part of Utah’s implementation plan to meet EPA air quality standards. With the New Year, Salt Lake City has already reached unhealthy air quality according to the DEQ’s website.

The meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. at the Department of Environmental Quality (195 North 1950 West, Room 1015) and offers Utahns the opportunity to show their concern for air quality and its effects on people.

HEAL Utah is one organization that doesn’t think that the current plan goes far enough and they are encouraging people to be a part of the process.

“The important pieces of government happen in rooms where relatively few citizens are present,” says Matt Pacenza, policy director for HEAL Utah.

By attending the meeting, people can send the general message that the governing body will be held accountable for its decisions. They may also have the opportunity to address the specific concern at hand.

Several groups are coming together to organize a rally at the state capitol on Jan. 25, 2014. The rally is meant to send a message to legislators that people want the government to regulate the pollution sources, such as the refineries, Rio Tinto, and Stericycle. The Clean Air, No Excuses Facebook page currently has over 1,100 people registered as going.